Pages

Wednesday, 3 August 2016

THE BIG FRIENDLY READ by Sharon Tregenza

I signed up at my local library as a volunteer for the Summer Reading Challenge. Every year, thousands of families all over the country take part in this event which is run by the charity:The Reading Agency.
It's a challenge to get children reading during the summer holidays. There's a different theme each year. As 2016 marks 100 years since the birth of Roald Dahl this year the focus is on his gloriumptious stories and squiffling characters.

It's for children aged four to eleven and it's completely free. They read a total of six books, chat to a volunteer about them, and win rewards.

What I didn't expect was for it to be so much fun. I've a way to go yet, but already I've had the pleasure of listening to some entertaining comments from the kids.

For instance:

Me: So, if you found a hippo in your bed how would you get it to move?
8 yr old: I could get a shovel and smash its head in and kick it out.
Me: Umm, maybe there's a nicer way?
8 yr old: I could make a cloud and make it rain food-like spaghetti. Then I could make a trail with the spaghetti to lead it outside to my neighbour's garden.
Me: Do you think your neighbour would be happy to have a hippo in the garden?
8 yr old: Well, they've got a paddling pool.

5 comments:

Hi Sue and Joan. It's terrific fun. More than I expected. I've got quite a few sessions left to do and I'm looking forward to their reviews. Some kids are shy and it's difficult to get a word out of them. Others, just the opposite, and when there's a long queue waiting I have to find nice ways of bringing the tirade to an end. Haha